If you haven't yet, make sure you find out (1) what the company does, (2) how it's different from its competitors, (3) three reasons why you want to work for the company as opposed to its competitors, and (4) five questions to ask the interviewer.
Make sure to get a lot of sleep the night before the interview and even a few nights before that if possible. Get your preparation and "dress rehearsal" done a day or two early so that you can relax the night before the interview. Do something fun with friends to take your mind off the interview; you'll come across as more rested, positive, and confident the next day.
If you travel to an office for an interview, you'll probably look a little windblown when you arrive. Get there a little early so that you can go to the restroom, comb your hair, and take a deep breath if necessary. Relax, and view this as a fun opportunity to exercise your acting skills and meet some interesting people; remember to visualize yourself as an executive attending an important business meeting. And remember, the world will not end if you don't get the job. If you get in to the interview thinking that this is a life-and-death situation, chances are you will psych yourself out.
During The Performance
ATTITUDE
Don't complain or be too negative about anything, even when asked for your "honest" opinion of something. Focus on the positives of all your past experiences-doing so will make you seem like an optimist who makes the best of any situation.
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
The unfortunate fact is that interviewers, just like the rest of us, judge messages based not only on content but on delivery. Your interviewer will be deeply influenced by your communications and interpersonal skills, whether he admits it or not. Be aware of the way you communicate and the effect this has on the interviewer. No matter how obnoxious the interviewer is, try to find some redeeming quality about him. Really like the person as if he were a friend. Why is this important? Interviewers like candidates with whom they feel some sort of rapport. Your attitude toward the interviewer will come across on your face and will make or break that rapport.
Nonverbal Communication
- Eye contact: Looking at the interviewer strengthens the point you are making. Maintain fairly steady eye contact with the interviewer, especially when you are making a statement where your credibility might be questioned (e.g., ethical dilemma, interest in job). If you are thinking over a question, it's okay to look down or away for a few seconds, because this suggests reflection. When looking at the interviewer, never try to look into both his eyes at the same time; instead, shift your gaze from one eye to the other in order to signal warmth and sincerity.
- Facial expression: You want to come across as a happy, well-balanced person, because firms like happy people. Smile occasionally as if you have no worries in the world, and don't let the interviewer read nervousness all over your face. Some interviewers will watch your face for signs of emotions.
- Gestures: Subconscious movements, such as waving your arms to make a point, folding a piece of paper, or playing with your hair, are distracting to the interviewer. In addition, they may come off as a sign of nervousness or dishonesty when you're answering difficult questions. Sit up straight in your chair; slumping conveys a sloppy, laid-back attitude. Lean forward when you want to seem excited or interested.
- Pace: Many interviewees speed up when they're nervous, and their words become slurred. Pausing for effect will heighten the listener's interest in what you're saying.
- Space-fillers: Don't be afraid of silence. Space-fillers like "umm," "uh-huh," "you know," and "like" are both distracting and unprofessional. They also make you seem young.
- Logic: At all times, keep in mind the question you're supposed to be answering; if you use a lengthy example, remember to tie the example back to the question. Doing so makes it seem that you had an organized approach to your answer, even if you didn't.
- Amount: Cut yourself off when you've made your point. Don't let yourself recite information in five different ways.
- Don't talk too much about money or perks.
- Crudeness or foul language is not acceptable during the interview, even if you're bonding with the guys. You never know who's going to take offense.
- Just in case, use politically correct terms. Use "women" instead of "girls," and so on.
- Don't sit down until the interviewer asks you to or until he has done so.
- Posing overly tough or critical questions is impolite.
- Be really nice to the secretaries or administrators in the office. Besides the fact that this is the right thing to do, it will have an impact on how you're evaluated.
- Don't delve into extremely personal topics or preferences, such as your love life-either yours or the interviewer's.
- Thank the interviewer for his time at the end of the session.
Too many qualified people rule themselves out because they think they lack raw material: They think to themselves, "I haven't had any real leadership experience," or "My business experience isn't as good as John's is." Let's destroy this myth right now-everyone doubts themselves at some point, no matter how great their accomplishments. Those who get jobs are the ones who can put a positive spin on their background. To demonstrate the power of packaging, here is an example of the same accomplishment described in two different ways:
Let's say you were asked the question: How have you exercised leadership skills during college?
Just okay: "I was elected as the student representative on a five-person committee that advised the economics department on faculty hiring. We inter-viewed job applicants on behalf of the economics department and I was there in order to give the department student input."
Better: "I was elected by the economics majors in my class as the only student to represent them on a committee that determined faculty hiring. I spent several hours each week planning questions and issues to discuss with potential faculty members. I interviewed the applicants, summarized my conclusions in short written reports, and communicated these recommendations to the department chair. The majority of our committee's recommendations were adopted by the department."
Notice in the second answer there is an emphasis on using "I," which more powerfully demonstrates what the individual has accomplished. The second answer also is better because instead of just mentioning the position held, it explains the skills demonstrated by holding the position and the results accomplished.
As you develop your answers to each type of interview question, think about ways in which you can put a positive spin on the facts of your life.
Three Methods of Communication
You can communicate a point to the interviewer in three ways: directly, by implication, or by demonstration.
- Directly stated: "I have strong quantitative skills."
- Implied: "For my summer job, I performed a great deal of spreadsheet modeling to quantify the costs of the project we were considering." (The recruiter must make the connection between your previous work and quantitative skills.)
- Demonstrated: You answer a quantitative question well during the interview. (This also allows the recruiter to make the connection himself.)
